a common thread

Federer

2010-12-24T01:09:00.000-07:00

So gentlemanly. So handsome. So classy.

And a great dresser, might I add...

St. Patrick's Day

2010-12-21T22:39:00.000-07:00

Here comes the cold
Break out the winter clothes
And find a love to call your own
You - enter you
Your cheeks a shade of pink
And the rest of you in powder blue

Who knows what will be
But I'll make you this guarantee

No way November will see our goodbye
When it comes to December it's obvious why
No one wants to be alone at Christmas time

In the dark, on the phone
You tell me the names of your brothers
And your favorite colors
I'm learning you
And when it snows again
We'll take a walk outside
And search the sky
Like children do
I'll say to you

No way November will see our goodbye
When it comes to December it's obvious why
No one wants to be alone at Christmas time
And come January we're frozen inside
Making new resolutions a hundred times
February, won't you be my valentine?

And we'll both be safe 'til St. Patrick's Day

We should take a ride tonight around the town
and look around at all the beautiful houses
something in the way that blue lights on a black night
can make you feel more
everybody, it seems to me, just wants to be
just like you and me

No one wants to be alone at Christmas time
Come January we're frozen inside
Making new resolutions a hundred times
February, won't you be my valentine?

And if our always is all that we gave
And we someday take that away
I'll be alright if it was just 'til St. Patrick's Day

Sonnet 116

2010-12-16T23:02:00.000-07:00

Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come:
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

-William Shakespeare

Happy Weekend

2010-11-12T08:27:00.000-07:00

I've been listening to this beautiful song lately and can't seem to get it out of my head.

Such a talented artist! Bianca's songs are available for purchase here, here, and on iTunes.

Have a beautiful fall weekend!

2010-11-11T13:07:00.000-07:00

"I called because
I just need
to feel you on the line..."

-"Split Screen Sadness" John Mayer

Italy vs Europe

2010-11-11T11:16:00.000-07:00

Autumn in Connecticut

2010-11-10T10:16:00.000-07:00

Little things

2010-11-09T09:12:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the little times you don’t think are anything while they’re happening turn out to be what marks a whole period of your life.

- Andy Warhol

Paris vs. New York

2010-11-08T14:09:00.001-07:00

Have you seen these yet? Such awesome comparisons.

See more at the Paris vs New York blog

Miniature Worlds

2010-11-01T10:18:00.002-06:00

Have you heard of tilt-shift photography? It's a type of photography where the camera is manipulated so that life-sized scenes or subjects look like miniature scale models.

These are some of my favorite examples:

Happy Halloween!!!

2010-10-29T14:55:00.000-06:00

Love this : )

Have a fun holiday weekend.

Secrets

2010-10-28T09:48:00.001-06:00

I could spend weeks in a single museum, contemplating each piece and making up stories about the subjects.
Today I had caramel popcorn for lunch and pumpkin cookies for dinner (Halloween must be coming up...)
If my house was on fire, one of the first things I'd grab is a shoebox under my bed that's filled trinkets from Europe: leftover English pounds, Paris metro stubs, unsent postcards, and a wrinkled map of Florence
When I'm anxious or stressed, I have a funny habit of picking my lips. Let's just say they're pretty sore right now.
I should be studying right now for my exam. My laptop can be so distracting

L'amour

2010-10-27T18:56:00.000-06:00

"Le chance c'est comme le Tour de France. On l'attend longtemps, puis ça passe vite.

Alors, quand le moment vient, il faut sauter la barrière sans hésiter."

Luck is like the Tour de France. You wait a long time for it and it goes

by quickly. When the right time comes, you have to jump the fence

without hesitation.

Wishing I was here

2010-10-27T10:23:00.000-06:00

Its been snowing the last few days where I'm from. It makes me want to run away to somewhere warm and Mediterranean, like here:

Blog Makeover

2010-10-27T00:38:00.000-06:00

I was in need of a change, but since I live in a dorm room didn't exactly have any furniture to rearrange, I gave my blog a new name and a makeover.

Welcome to A Common Thread.

The new name stems from the idea that all of us, no matter where we are reading, writing, or picture posting, no matter what corner the world we are from, what color our skin is, or what our first language is, we all have a common thread: we all have ideas, dreams, thoughts, and inspiration that we share with others through an incredible thing called the internet.

Let me know what you think of the new name and design.

***I will probably be implementing a few more minor changes over the next few days and experimenting with html, so pardon my experimenting and indecisiveness.

Sometimes (most of the time) I hate dating

2010-10-26T10:12:00.000-06:00

I don't mean to sound like a Debbie Downer, but lately being unattached has been hard.

It's scary to be back out there after you've had your heart put through a meat grinder. It's hard to let down that wall you've built, not knowing if this guy you've started to fall for will let you down later.

I have this fear that my heart is going to get broken again. I'm afraid to fully put my heart into a relationship because there's always a chance that somewhere down the line I'll be hurt again.

Any words of comfort or advice out there?

Have you seen this yet?

2010-10-25T09:24:00.000-06:00

This little video makes me smile, even after a long, stressful day.

Adorable!

First photo of Michael Phelps

2010-07-15T10:30:00.000-06:00

Too clever and funny.

Question of the Day:

2010-07-07T11:10:00.000-06:00

Do you believe in signs? I mean little things that you shake your head at: wondering if it's a coincidence, a little message from heaven, or just meant to tease and torture you.

I don't know if that makes any sense. Maybe I've seen the movie Serendipity a few too many times...)

Rings

2010-05-01T10:00:00.000-06:00

Isn't this ring a knockout?! I love the design of the three ultra-thin pave bands. Even though the rock is ginormous, it still looks delicate. It's my dream ring!

Although, more likely than not a ring like this will not be in my or my future husband's budget, which is fine because I think one of the micro-pave bands by itself would be a beautiful, simple, and understated.

Maybe paired with this simple gold band?

In my opinion, anything is better than what I've seen on every married student at my university--they all look the same, too traditional. Maybe I'm just weird.

But then, I guess I've always been a little different. A drum to my own beat. Unique.

This ring is so me.

Secrets

2010-04-22T09:39:00.001-06:00

I believe in karma
I talk to myself in Italian
I sing loudly in my car when I'm driving by myself, even though I can't carry a tune.
I could live solely off of carbs and be completely content
I think modern art is completely ridiculous

Love

2010-04-20T11:26:00.000-06:00

"I disappear into the person I love. I am the permeable membrane. If I love you, you can have everything. You can have my time, my devotion, my ass, my money, my family, my dog, my dog's money, my dog's time--everything. If I love you, I will carry for you all your pain, I will assume for you all your debts (in every definition of the word), I will protect you from your own insecurity, I will project upon you all sorts of good qualities that you have never actually cultivated in yourself and I will buy Christmas presents for your entire family. I will give you the sun and the rain, and if they are not available, I will give you a sun check and a rain check. I will give you all this and more."

This is so me.

(quote from Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert)

Marchesa Bridal

2010-04-19T11:03:00.000-06:00

My favorite couture brand, Marchesa, makes the most beautiful dresses. Stars such as Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Alba, Heidi Klum, Eva Longoria, Penelope Cruz and countless others have graced the brand's stunning dresses on the red carpet.

I got on to the Marchesa website last weekend and was excited to see that they now have a bridal collection. Now I could never afford one of their gorgeous gowns, but it's still fun to dream, right?

Here were some of my favorites:

Chanel and Audrey Tautou

2010-04-07T12:31:00.000-06:00

Ok so most of you have probably already seen this, but if you're like me you could watch it over and over again.

P.S. - I have the biggest girl crush on Audrey Tautou. She's très belle, non?

To do list...

2010-04-06T20:25:00.002-06:00

#1 Dress more like a French woman...

(all photos via Cup of Jo)

Happy

2010-04-01T10:26:00.008-06:00

10 things that made me happy this week:

Anthropologie sales
Afternoon naps
Crepes with nutella
The way red lipstick makes me feel confident
Finishing crossword puzzles
Long chats over the phone with a dear friend
Tulips and daffodils that are just beginning to bloom
Rearranging the furniture in my room
Dying Easter eggs with boyfriend
Carla Bruni's beautiful music

Have a Beautiful Easter weekend!

(photo via Abby Sharp via snippet & ink)

Anywhere but here

2010-04-01T10:06:00.005-06:00

Looks like Mother Nature decided to play a trick on me today. Snow in April? Really? Right now, more than ever, I'd give anything to be back near the Mediterranean.

(Preferably Italy, of course...)

(Photos 1,2,3 - mine; photo 4 - Venice Daily Photo; photo 5 - unknown)

L'amore

2010-03-31T10:56:00.000-06:00

In my Italian class this week, we read about

"l'amor che muove il sole e l'altre stelle..."

(Love that moves the sun and the other stars)

Thank you Dante for such beautiful words.

P.S. - This picture makes me happy.

Travel Bug

2010-03-30T10:26:00.007-06:00

Lately I've been longing to travel, itching for some place new and exotic.

(Pictures like these are to blame.)

via Ben Chrisman Photography

Goals

2010-03-29T12:42:00.000-06:00

This week I'm trying to:

Get to bed earlier
Be more productive with my time
Hit the gym at least 3 times
Eat less sugar and carbs
Drink more water
Try new hairstyles
Catch up with an old friend

Yum

2010-02-03T13:34:00.002-07:00

Yesterday I made Rolo Cookies for the first time. They were not only delicious, but incredible easy to make because the of Devil's Food Cake mix you use instead of cocoa powder, flour, baking soda, etc. Sandra Lee would be so proud...

Rolo Cookies

Devil's Food Cake mix

1/3 c. oil

2 eggs

Bag of Rolos

Mix cake mix, oil, and eggs. Take unwrapped Rolo, push inside about tablespoon of dough and roll in hands forming a ball.

Bake @ 350 degrees for 9 minutes

One of those days...

2009-11-05T16:46:00.004-07:00

Do you ever have days when you just feel like curling up in a ball and crying yourself to sleep? For no particular reason whatsoever?

Today has been one of those days, despite the sunshine.

Oh, hormones...

(photo via)

Il futuro è rosa - the future is pink

2009-11-04T10:28:00.001-07:00

Sorry posts have been a little sparse these past couple of weeks. Until the school work lightens up, I'm afraid blogging will have to take a back seat.

However, I did find time to post this beautiful Calzedonia ad I first saw a couple of weeks ago. Beautiful, no?

Happy Weekend!

2009-10-23T17:20:00.004-06:00

Tonight I am having a pumpkin carving contest with some friends and making delicious pumpkin chocolate chip bread. I love autumn!

What are you doing this weekend?

(image via flickr)

Shall we dance?

2009-10-21T11:17:00.001-06:00

This is my favorite scene from the delightful film "Shall We Dance," starring Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez.

After seeing this movie (before all the "Dancing with the Stars" craze, mind you) I knew I had to learn how to ballroom dance. Lucky for me the university I attend has a world-renowned ballroom dance team, and thus offers many dance classes.

Last year I took my first class and learned the waltz, quickstep, and tango (my personal favorite). I've been dancing ever since! Next semester I'm taking Latin ballroom (cha cha, rumba, and paso doble) and I can't wait!

Is there something you've always wanted to do but are afraid to try? I say go for it--what have you got to lose?! We are never too old to start learning...

Love Drought

2009-10-20T13:37:00.002-06:00

Confession: I have never had a boyfriend. Ever (...unless you count Lucas Reynolds back in third grade, but even that only lasted about a week). And I'm almost 20 years old.

Is that weird?

Honestly, it's never really bothered me. But lately I've been longing for love. Every chick flick I see, novel I read, or cute couple I notice, makes me want to let out a sigh... And my daydreaming these days is out-of-control.

My mom is convinced it's because I suck at flirting. Which is completely false. I can flirt! Really, I can! I'm just a subtle flirter... Except I guess maybe a little too subtle... (90% of the time no one even knows I'm flirting!) Ohhh why can't a coy glance and a smile get me half as far with American boys as it could with the notorious Italian ones???

I'm trying to change, truly, but it's hard for me! I've had my eye on a bel ragazzo (beautiful boy) in one of my classes, but how do I let him know I want to be more than friends without making a fool of myself if he's not interested? All my efforts in flirting have been futile. I'm stumped!

So--do you have any flirting tips for a girl like me? And I'm curious: where did you meet your significant other?

(photo via Le Love)

Eliott et Cerise

2009-10-19T16:21:00.005-06:00

These are some of my favorite photos from a very sweet blog, Eliott et Cerise.

I hope my children will be as beautiful as these two!

I love they way their mother dresses them!

Adorable.

TGIF

2009-10-09T16:56:00.003-06:00

After a tough week at school (three midterms, two papers, and one presentation!), I'm so ready to relax for a few days before it starts all over again...

Have a beautiful weekend, everyone!

(photo via bella maison)

Someday...

2009-10-08T13:27:00.000-06:00

I want a love like the one Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth share...

P.S. - I love, love, love the movie...

Siena

2009-10-07T12:15:00.001-06:00

I will be living here next April through July and...

I Can't Wait!

(photos are mine)

So I know summer is over, but...

2009-10-06T13:58:00.008-06:00

I couldn't resist a deal like this! At jcrew.com, I bought this adorable swimsuit--originally $88--on sale for only $20! They have many more different styles and colors for super cheap.

asdf

Just thought I would share with you all... Jump before they're all gone!

Sous la pluie (in the rain)...

2009-09-30T16:04:00.003-06:00

This morning I woke up, put my hair in a low messy bun with a French braid framing my face, put a scarf around my neck, walked to school in the rain listening to the Amelie soundtrack, and pretended I was actually walking through Paris...

Something about the rain and brisk days like today make me long to be in the city of light, perhaps because of this photograph...

(photo via Math_ from flickr)

European men know best...

2009-09-29T11:15:00.000-06:00

I love this promo for J. Crew and wish more men in the U.S. dressed like this.

Too many guys dress shabby and over casually, when really, all they need is a little wardrobe makeover and voila! they could be come pretty good looking guys.

Sometimes (ok, often) I just want to move to Switzerland like Signorina Svizzera. Let me just say: the men there know what they are doing!!! I've never seen so many beautiful males in my life! A good portion of their attractiveness, I believe, comes from the way they dress...

Dream Room

2009-09-26T10:17:00.006-06:00

In my dreams, I sleep in a room like this...

Under this bedding...

On this canopy bed frame...

And in the morning, I pull out my designer clothes from this armoire...

And I step off my beautiful hardwood flooring onto this rug...

While these curtains wave in the warm breeze coming from the open windows...

(all via anthropologie. surprised?)

You can feel it in the air...

2009-09-22T14:04:00.003-06:00

I wish I had someone special to take a stroll with where this photo was taken...

Nevertheless, happy first day of Autumn, my friends!

(photo via Le Love)

Jewels of India

2009-09-15T16:43:00.004-06:00

I have always found Middle Eastern and Indian art and architecture to be incredibly beautiful and interesting. I love their use of jewel-toned colors, the intricacy of their mosaics and designs, and the unique structural elements (the arches, pillars and moldings).

How could you live in rooms like these and not feel like a Mughal princess?! So beautiful...

I love the archway and the mosaics

More beautiful arches, this time scalloped

Beautiful use of light

Peaceful

Love these headboards

I love the gemstone colors against the stark white on the left

(all photos via An Indian Summer - such a beautiful blog!)

Perfection

2009-09-14T22:53:00.002-06:00

I would never really call myself a big sports girl, but when tennis Grand Slams are going, I become a fanatic. These past few weeks I have been glued to the TV, and unfortunately homework and sleep have taken a back seat.

I've seen some amazing tennis this Grand Slam, but this shot is perhaps the very best I've seen this entire year. For those of you who know anything about tennis, you probably won't be very surprised to hear that this shot was made by Swissman Roger Federer, who sports commentators and players alike are now calling the best player in the history of the sport.

Watch this, it's crazy!

PS - Isn't he cute?

Favorite things Friday...

2009-09-11T13:32:00.005-06:00

This week, these have been a few of my favorite things...

Nivea chapstick
The sound of rain against your window as you fall asleep
Long, cultured conversations with complete strangers
New crushes
Watching the U.S. Open (tennis) all day, all week
Stepping on the scale to find out you've lost 5 pounds without even trying
Finishing a painting
The smell of D&G Light Blue perfume
Frozen yogurt runs with roommates

Have a beautiful weekend!

(painting by Joan DaGradi)

Eat, Pray, Love

2009-09-10T15:52:00.002-06:00

I loved this book, and was excited to hear it is being made into a movie, and was ecstatic when I found out Julia Roberts is going to play the lead. She will be perfect!

If, for some reason, you have not had the chance to read this NY Times bestseller, pick it up now. It changed my life!

I'm back (finally!)

2009-09-10T14:17:00.006-06:00

Hello readers! Sorry its taken me so long to start posting again, I promise to update fairly regularly from here on out. I forget how diverting college is: what with classes, roommates and friends, football games, and of course homework, but I feel adjusted enough in school now to find time in my hectic schedule to share my stories, thoughts, and inspirations through this blog.

Have you guys ever tried Luna Bars? I discovered them this summer and have been practically living off of them now that school has started. They are granola-like bars made specially for women and can be found at your local grocery store near the sports bars. They are delicious. I would choose one of these over a candy bar anyday. Seriously.

But perhaps the best thing about them is that they are actuallly good for you (well except for the sugar I guess)! They contain 24 vitamins and minerals and each bar has 9g of protein, 3g of fiber, and 35% DV of calcium! And may I also mention they are 70% organic?

Almost too good to be true, right? They are perfect for people who are health-conscious but always on the go. And with 14 different flavors, its impossible to get bored with them. (My favorites are the White Chocolate Macademia Nut and the Smores flavor.

M.I.A.

2009-08-28T23:59:00.003-06:00

Sorry the latest posts have been pretty lame... I'm currently in transition, going back to school and moving into a new apartment. With school starting and everything, I may take a little break from the blogging next week, but I will hopefully be up and running again soon!

P.S. - I wish my apartment was actually on the top floor of this beautiful building, which is just left of the Grace Cathedral in San Francisco..

(500) Days of Summer

2009-08-27T11:53:00.001-06:00

If you haven't seen this movie yet, go see it. And download the soundtrack.

Parlo con te...

2009-08-25T17:40:00.000-06:00

Almost two years ago, I somehow stumbled across this song. Just how exactly? I have no idea (this song originally wasn't even on the U.S. version of iTunes, where I usually find most of my music). It was fate.

It gave me goosebumps the first time I heard it even though back then I couldn't understand a single word. It was this song that made me decide to study Italian, and added to my new and growing love affair of anything that had to do with Italy.

Giorgia's beautiful, pure voice took me to a whole new place, and no matter how many times I've listened to this song, each time is as powerful as the last. Sometimes it makes me cry!

Since then, I've discovered many more beautiful songs by Giorgia and other Italian artists, but this one will always be my favorite.

Hope you like it!

p.s. - sorry this unofficial video is not the greatest, but its the only one on the web I could find that would let me embed it here!

These are a few of my favorite things...

2009-08-21T10:34:00.000-06:00

This week, these have been a few of my favorite things...

Homemade chocolate chip cookies, fresh and warm from the oven
The smell of new leather
Laughing so hard with friends that you all cry
Black and white photos of Paris
Fresh guacamole
That clean feeling after the dentist (and no cavities!)
On-site painting
Tickling little sister (well, not so little at 17) like we are both children again
Unexpected hand-written letters
Returning to a favorite clothing store only to find out that the item you've had your eye on for weeks is now on sale

Have a beautiful weekend!

(photos are mine)

Notte Sento

2009-08-19T10:01:00.004-06:00

I love this short romantic film via Le Love! It was made with over 4,500 still photographs. Don't you wish something like this could happen to you? Rome at night is a beautiful thing to behold...

P.S. - I'm in love with this girl's style: her shoes, her dress, her hair...!

***If you experience technical difficulties in viewing this film, click here.

Girl Crush

2009-08-18T10:23:00.000-06:00

A "girl crush" is when you have great admiration and enamoration for another woman, whether it be because of her sense of style, brilliant achievments, or sweet charisma (...nonsexual, mind you).

At the moment, I have a huge girl crush on beautiful Emma Watson (a.k.a. Hermione Granger from Harry Potter). Not only is she a brilliant actress and obviously stunning; she is sweet, down-to-earth, witty, and very smart (Emma is attending Brown University, an Ivy-League, this fall!).

I adore her!

Who is your girl crush?

Anthro

2009-08-17T12:17:00.000-06:00

My jaw dropped to the floor when I got Anthropologie's catalogue in the mail the other day. In this particular one, they tooks photos of real people, rather than models, from around the globe. The photos are stunning and I love the backdrops of all the different places. (Not to mention the beautiful clothes!)

Here are a few of my favorites:

Wallflowers...

2009-08-14T12:49:00.001-06:00

I made these fun desktop wallpaper backgrounds using online sample pictures of fabric. To set as your desktop background, copy the image and paste it into Paint. Save without closing, and then click File--->Set as Background (Tiled). Voila! (I'm afriad I've been a PC girl my whole life, so I'm not sure how it works for Macs...)

(fabric via heather bailey store, fabric.com, calicocorners, and pottery barn)

Engagement Photos

2009-08-13T19:33:00.002-06:00

Ok, so how cute are these engagement photos?! They almost look like stills from a movie or a very chic magazine ad. I love the vintage clothing and hat box. What a cute couple!

(found via Emily Johnston Anderson via Cup of Jo)

Have a Wonderful Weekend!

2009-08-07T10:55:00.002-06:00

I hope you all have a wonderful summer weekend! Don't forget to hit your local farmers market and pick up some delicious, sun-ripened fruit (like these yummy plums!)

(photo via flickr)

Une belle maison

2009-08-06T10:34:00.000-06:00

A few weeks ago, I was finally able to walk through a house I have admired for many years since it was built near my neighboorhood several years ago. I was not surprised to see that the interior is just as beautiful, if not more than the exterior.

I loved the ironwork, the lead-glass windows, the steeped roof, and the tiniest architectural details throughout the house. I swooned over the gorgeous furniture, Old-World draperies and upholstery, and the way the elements actually look antique, and not fake-wannabe antique. It has a certain charm to it that gave me chills as soon as I walked in the front doors.

What does your dreamhome look like?

(all photos via the home's owner)

Profess Courage and Act Accordingly

2009-08-05T10:21:00.006-06:00

A friend recently sent me this fun tag to create your own "album cover." This is how mine turned out. Looks legitimate, no? I loved the photo I just happened to get.

asdf

Now I'm tagging all of you who read this. Here's how make your own:

1 - Go to "wikipedia.com" Select “random article”or click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random The first random wikipedia article you get is the name of your band.

2 - Go to "Random quotations"or click http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3 The last four or five words of the very last quote of the page is the title of your first album.

3 - Go to flickr and click on “explore the last seven days”or click http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days The third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover art.

4 - Use photoshop or similar to put it all together. I used Picnik (http://www.picnik.com/)

5- Tag some friends to join in

asdfasdf

PS - Check out yesterday's post! It's definately the most charming short film I've ever seen. It's worth taking the 7 minutes, promise!

asdf

(photo by chachahavana via flickr)

It's in the air...

2009-08-04T09:02:00.000-06:00

I love this short film by Yohann Gloaguen. I've been humming this song for the past few weeks.

Can you keep a secret?

2009-08-03T16:24:00.006-06:00

I usually can, except when it comes to books. When I find a good one, I want to share it with everyone I meet.

I just finished Can You Keep a Secret and The Undomestic Goddess, both by Sophie Kinsella, the lovely Brit who is known best for Confessions of a Shopaholic, which is now a film, although I found these more deep and personal than the Shopaholic books (which are very funny and charming if you haven't read them--and 100 times better than the movie).

I laughed throughout both, and even cried in some parts (although the fact that I would stay up until 2 in the morning reading them might have something to do with that...) I just couldn't put them down. It's like watching a romantic-comedy film only better.

I love Kinsella's style, humor, and how she makes her lead characters so relateable-- they could be your best friends. If you haven't read a Kinsella novel yet, please try them. They make me so happy.

(Can You Keep a Secret is my favorite!)

In Cali...

2009-07-29T21:46:00.002-06:00

Hello fellow bloggers! Sorry about the slow posting lately. I am enjoying a nice, relaxing vacation in Southern California, but will begin posting again next Monday.

I hope you have a good rest of the week and a fabulous weekend.

Much love xoxo

Stranded

2009-07-20T15:35:00.008-06:00

I recently found this uber-fun blog that has a series called "Stranded! Sundays," where guest bloggers share what items they'd bring with them if they were stranded on a deserted island.

Here's what I'd bring:

COMPANION: my best friend Alyssa--she'd make the time go much faster while we waited to be rescued. Plus she has an uncanny ability to make me laugh uncontrollably...

FOOD: Margherita pizza as it tastes in Naples--just thinking about it makes me drool

DRINK: Homemade Raspberry Lemonade--mmmm!

MOVIE: French Kiss. I've seen this so many times, but it never gets old or any less hilarious!

BOOK: A giant compilation of all seven Harry Potter books (such a thing doesn't exist, but since I could only pick one book...). And yes, I am a bigtime Harry Potter nerd.

ALBUM: Not one single album really pops out at me. I'd have to bring a mixed CD of all my favorite songs.

BEAUTY PRODUCT: Mascara can go a long way... Although now that I think about it sunscreen might be a bit more practical!

HAIR PRODUCT: A brush. My hair is really long which means it is very prone to tangles...

SHOES: Some cute Tory Burch flip flops!

ITEM OF CLOTHING: This sundress (hopefully over a pretty swimsuit)

Natural Beauty

2009-07-16T12:11:00.002-06:00

What got me about this photo from the Satorialist is not the outfit this woman is wearing, but her beauty! Talk about gorgeous hair and flawless skin!

I'm not crazy about the dress, but I think she makes it look pretty good.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to pull-off anything?

Suit yourself

2009-07-15T09:17:00.003-06:00

Can you believe its halfway through July and I haven't even bought a swimsuit yet?! I'm going to need one when I go to California in a couple of weeks, but I just can't decide which of these super cute J. Crew suits to buy.

Which one do you like?

Confession

2009-07-09T22:56:00.008-06:00

I have read this book more than any other book on the planet. I know I should probably be saying this about a book of more literary merit, such as a Jane Austen novel or Charles Dickens, or something like To Kill A Mockingbird, or even Harry Potter.

But this has honestly been my favorite book since I read it for the first time in second grade. I've read it at least 25 times since (I should start counting), but its magic never seems to fade.

Read it if you haven't already, I know you'll love it.

P.S. - What's your favorite book??

Paper Art

2009-07-07T00:00:00.004-06:00

These are some entries for an art contest put on by the Hirshorn Modern Art Gallery in Washington DC. The only rule was that you can only use one sheet of paper.

Aren't they incredible?!

Picnik

2009-07-03T09:30:00.007-06:00

One of my friends just introduced me to Picnik, a free photo editing site that has some fun features.

I love the rounded edge setting, the poloroid frame, and the featurethat makes your regular photos look like holgas (how I wish for one of these little plastic cameras...)

P.S. - Does anyone know how to get rid of the borders around the photos? I'm stumped!

*Credits: the first, middle, and last are mine; the second is an old Anthropologie catologue, and I don't know where I got the fourth. If it is yours, let me know and I will give you credit :)

Amelie

2009-07-01T15:54:00.004-06:00

I have been playing this song on the piano for the last few weeks after I finally bought the sheet music.

It's beautiful, as is the film it's from...

Wedding Dress

2009-06-30T09:11:00.003-06:00

I opened this month's J. Crew catalogue, and my jaw dropped when I turned to this page.

Isn't this dress gorgeous?!

Marchesa

2009-06-26T08:13:00.000-06:00

Ok, I am obsessed with Marchesa's beautiful evening gowns. There's always something unique, exotic, and glamourous about each dress that designers Georgina and Keren create that makes me weak in the knees. I can instantly spot a Marchesa on celebrities that wear them to red carpet events.

Although I would never have a place to wear one of their gowns to (not to mention the money to buy one!), I love look to them for inspiration. Maybe one day I'll recreate one as a wedding dress...

Here are some of my favorites (you'll probably recognize a few of them):

Athens - Last Day

2009-06-25T21:52:00.000-06:00

Well, it was two years ago today my incredible trip ended (sigh)....

So, this ends my reminiscing about the beautiful places I dream of one day returning to. I'm kind of excited to get back to my usual posting about things that make me happy and other random stuff! (Although this probably won't be the last you'll hear of my trip...)

I hope you like these photos of extraordinary Athens!

View of Athens from the Acropolis

The Parthenon - may I also mention this day was the hottest Athens had experienced in over 100 years?! And there was no shade ANYWHERE. It was still beautiful though.

The Erechtheion

At the markets--me and my friends: all colors, shapes, and sizes

Old door near the markets

Greece!

2009-06-24T16:03:00.000-06:00

I'm sorry I have been a bad blogger, this week has been crazy busy. Here are some of my photos of my last day in Italy (Sorrento and Pompeii) and my Greek cruise to Mykonos, Patmos, and Santorini!

Sorrento Harbor

more Sorrento

Pompeii

Ancient streets of Pompeii

One day will erupt again...

Beautiful street of Mykonos

Windmills of Mykonos

Grecian sunset

Don't you wish this was your patio?

Patmos

Bright little jollyboats - don't they look like toys?

The caldera of Santorini - I hiked it! And went swimming in the hot springs around it!

Easily one of the best days of my life... It was incredible.

View of Santorini

Classic blue and white church

Stay tuned for pictures of Athens tomorrow,

Kalispera!

Capri

2009-06-19T23:20:00.000-06:00

"You may have the universe if I may have Italy."
-Giuseppe Verdi

I feel the same way, Verdi.

Capri (pronounced CAH-pri, not like the pants) is a beautiful, ritzy island off the coast of Sorrento, where lemon trees and buganvilla flowers are literally dapertutto (everywhere)!

enjoy

Mt. Vesuvius

The Blue Grotto (learn more here)

the Harbor

Can you believe how blue this water is?!

La Bella Roma - Day 12

2009-06-19T00:08:00.000-06:00

Rome is so beautiful, I'm not even going to try and explain it in words. I'll let these pictures speak for themselves.

Colosseum

La fontana Trevi

St. Peter's blew me away

The Mouth of Truth

Una ragazza in the Piazza Navona

Siena - Day 11

2009-06-17T23:12:00.000-06:00

"Italy is a dream that keeps returning for the rest of your life. "
- Anna Akhmatova

Siena is a beautiful hillside town in Toscana where I will hopefully (fingers crossed!) be living next summer. I was captured by the beautiful architecture and the tranquility I felt after just having visited tourist hot-spots such as Florence and Venice. It was to get away from big crowds for a day.

Sorry my photos are not the greatest--these are completely raw and have gone straight from my camera to this blog. I'm hoping to get Photoshop in the near future so I can show beautiful places with justice!

(read more about my reminiscence of my trip here)

Palazzo Publico (town hall) - I climbed all the way to the top of this tower!

View from the Torre del Mangia

Duomo of Siena

San Domenico

A serene street of Siena

Firenze - Days 9 & 10

2009-06-17T00:30:00.000-06:00

As nearly impossible as it is to choose a favorite city, I think Florence is mine (with Rome in a very close second place). I love all the history that is rooted here: from the Medicis, to the many architects and artists, old palazzi (palaces), and famous writers such as Dante and Machiavelli. This city is, after all, home of the Renaissance.

There is so much to do here almost overwhelming. One could spend a month in Florence visiting museums, churches, and landmarks and still not see everything!

Best. Lasagne. Ever.
Michelangelo's David

Ponte Vecchio

Brunelleschi's Duomo

View of Firenze

Venezia - Day 8

2009-06-14T22:08:00.000-06:00

"Travelling is the ruin of all happiness! There's no looking at a building here after seeing Italy."

-Fanny Burney

So true.

Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs)

Piazza San Marco

San Giorgio Maggiore

Ponte Rialto

ITALY! - Day 7

2009-06-13T23:30:00.000-06:00

"Italy has always had a magnetic north pull on my psyche."
-Frances Mayes

I still love this quote, even though Italy hasn't completely always had a pull on my psyche. But it sure has since I left!

Before I left for this trip, I was excited to see Italy, but not any more than England, Switzerland, or Greece. I was probably the most excited for France. I'd taken years of French in high school, and just knew it would be my favorite. And it was beautiful, it completely met every expectation I had...but Italy blew me away. It is without a doubt the most beautiful country in the world. No question.

And now, two years later, Italy is all I can think about. Now, my high school French is nearly all but forgotten, and my college major is Italian.

All I've been doing the last two years is trying to get back. (Hopefully next summer for study abroad!)

Anyways, first up is stunning Verona, home of the story of Romeo and Juliette..

Arena of Verona
Italy's beautiful flag

Love notes from around the world, near Juliette's balcony below

"Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?"

Lovely piazza

Suisse - Day 6

2009-06-12T22:54:00.000-06:00

View of Luzern
Löwendenkmal - Lion Monument

Hofkirche

Luzern by night

So green!

Switzerland - Day 5

2009-06-11T22:04:00.000-06:00

After taking the TGV across some of the most beautiful scenery I've ever seen, I landed in Bern where I spent a few hours strolling and taking photos before heading to Luzern, where I stayed the next two days.

Roger's country is certainly a charming one!

Pretty building near the Münster (Cathedral) of Berne
Zytglogge clock tower - Bern
Bear pit in Bern
Beautiful Jesuit Church
Kapellbrücke

I love Paris in the Springtime - Day 4

2009-06-10T22:22:00.000-06:00

My last day in Paris two years ago included some more sightseeing at the Opera House, Place de la Concorde, Notre Dame, a visit to the Palace of Versailles, and a sunset cruise on the Seine.

Yesterday I was watching the film Sabrina (the newer version with Harrison Ford) and I heard this lovely quote I had forgotten about:

Sabrina: I used to walk everywhere in Paris. I used to walk from Montmartre down into the center of the town. Along the Seine there is a four mile walk that goes from Isle Saint Germain to the Pont de Bercy. Takes you past all the bridges of Paris, twenty-three of them. Then you find one you love and you go there everyday with your coffee and your journal, and you listen to the river.

Linus: What does it tell you?

Sabrina: ...That’s between you and the river.

I hope one day I can stay in Paris long enough to find my favorite bridge in Paris and listen to what the river has to say to me.

Les Invalides

View from a window at Versailles

Notre Dame

Sunset on the Seine, Notre Dame

I found myself in Paris - Day 3

2009-06-09T23:17:00.000-06:00

The minute I stepped off the train at the Gare de Lyon, I fell in love with Paris.

I visited many masculine cities on my tour: London, Florence, Rome, Athens...but this city is beautifully and unmistakeably feminine.

Two years ago today, I was sightseeing around Paris, visiting the Louvre, and taking pictures of the Seine from the top of the Eiffel Tower... Oh, what I would give to be back in the City of Light right now!

I hope you enjoy these photos:

Arc de Triomphe
The Louvre is to me (having extensively studied art history) as Disneyland is to a six-year-old...

La Tour Eiffel

London, Day 2

2009-06-08T22:17:00.000-06:00

As I mentioned in my last post, for the next three weeks I'll be "revisiting" (in my mind) the beautiful places throughout Europe I had the chance to see two years ago.

Two years ago today, I travelled to Windsor and got to see a bit more of thrilling London.

Buckingham Palace

Square outside of Buckingham Palace (I can never remember its name), London

A view from the side of St. Paul's Cathedral, London

Door, Windsor (many more of these to come, for some reason I love taking photos of different doors!)

The Queen's Garden, Windsor Castle

It is difficult to speak adequately, or justly, of
London. It is not a pleasant place; it is not agreeable, or easy, or exempt from reproach. It is only magnificent.

- Henry James

I left my heart in Italy...and France... and Switzerland and England... oh yeah and Greece.

2009-06-07T23:40:00.000-06:00

Exactly two years ago today I took my first step in Europe after getting off the plane at the London Gatwick Airport.

As a senior in high school, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to England, France, Switzerland, Italy and Greece over the course of three months. This trip has changed my life in words I cannot express in and in ways I never knew I could. To say the least, it's completely a part of who I am today, and it's had an incredible impact in helping me realize what I want to do with my life.

In lieu of this life-altering three weeks I had, I'm going to post a few of my favorite photos from each of the days I spent there (many of them happen to be photos from the happiest days of my life) over the next few weeks.

First up is Day 1 in exciting London... enjoy

Simply the best...

2009-06-07T16:34:00.000-06:00

Roger Federer won the French Open for the first time today!

This makes him one of the only six people to have ever won a Career Grand Slam (own all four Grand Slam Titles:Wimbledon, Australian Open, French Open, and U.S. Open) and ties him with Pete Sampras for the most Grand Slams won ever at 14!

The tennis world is now calling him "the best of all-time."

Way to go Roger! Thanks for the enjoyment I get in watching you play and for inspiring me. You are a class act, and I look forward to watching you in many more Grand Slam finals to come.

An eye on Anthro

2009-06-02T00:47:00.000-06:00

Has anyone else noticed how many stunning pieces are at Anthropologie right now?

Walk-A-Ways Dress - $128

Citrus Salad Blouse - $88

Stitched Lengths Blouse - $98

Swept Away Top - $48

French Open

2009-06-01T22:45:00.000-06:00

Ok so I'm a huge tennis fan. I love the game, the outfits, the gentlemanly nature of the sport and I especially love Roger Federer. He's just so down-to-earth, classy, and...well, cute!

The French Open has been going on at Roland Garros in Paris the last week and continues through the 7th. I've been cheering on Rogie, glued to the TV in hopes that this will be his year (He has won every Grand Slam title but this one), and with Rafael Nadal out of the picture I'm a bit more confident that this year's trophy will be his.

Federer's next match is against the talented Gael Monfils, who has been playing very well and made some incredible shots. I have a feeling its going to be close. Let's hope Roger lives up to his name!

(photo via RolandGarros.com)

Beautiful things take time

2009-05-26T22:51:00.000-06:00

"Le belle cose sono lente" - Beautiful things take time

I heard this quote from my one of my favorite little foreign films.

Perhaps I like it so much because it sounds so beautiful in Italian... Then again, everything in Italian sounds beautiful, even if it's as simple as

"ho bisogno un bicchiere d'acqua"

which flows off the tongue so much more smoothly than

"I need a glass of water"